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GDPR Requirements List for Data Protection & Security

Are you running your physical or online business in the United Kingdom (UK) or European Union (EU) countries, and does your company collect and process personal user data? If so, you need to meet the GDPR requirements. If you don’t do so, you might end up suffering from serious financial damages and harm to the reputation of your business.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is comprehensive and covers a broad range of requirements that your business must follow. It might sound burdensome to comply with the rules on governance, accountability, and transparency, but the GDPR requirements list keeps you on track practically.

In this blog, you will explore why GDPR compliance is important to you and how to comply with GDPR requirements to keep user data protected and secure.

Why is Compliance to GDPR Important?

Being GDPR compliant helps you in protecting the personal data of users, preventing hefty penalties, and, as a result, building long-lasting customer trust. However, getting GDPR ready is something more than a legal requirement. GDPR compliance requirements give you an opportunity to:

• Reviewing the way you collect, store, and share your business data
• Strengthening the protection practices of your data
• Enhancing transparency and accountability
• Gaining the loyalty and trust of the users who are conscious about their privacy

For companies operating globally, especially outside of the UK and Europe, it is equally important to understand the GDPR requirements list for US companies and prevent data privacy issues.

To Whom Does GDPR Compliance Apply?

Compliance with GDPR is mandatory for all those businesses that

• Are present in the EU or the UK.
• Are processing and/or controlling personal data of residents and citizens of the EU and the UK, no matter where they are present physically. 

Processing and controlling data might sound similar, but they are different processes. 

Data processing means storing, retrieving, manipulating, or transmitting data. Third parties
and automated tools are the data processors. On the other hand, controlling data means collecting and owning data, and companies, individuals, and Governments are considered data controllers. 

GDPR Requirements List

As a part of their structured GDPR compliance assessments, global businesses refer to the GDPR audit program and assess the gaps and risks in data continuously. Have a look at the following GDPR audit checklist to ensure you are complying with GDPR.

GDPR Requirements List	Overview	How to Comply
Auditing and mapping of personal data	Perform a complete audit of the personal data, followed by a clear data mapping. Have a clear understanding of the personal data you are collecting, why you are collecting it, its storage space, and who can access it.	GDPR audit requirements include reviewing: The purpose of collecting all data. The type of personal data you are collecting, including names, IP addresses, and emails.Any sensitive data, including religion, biometrics, and health, and how you protect it. Data collected from under-16 children.Storage space for data: cloud, on-premise, or a third-party platform. Utilization of third parties for data processing. Accessibility of data inside the organization. The time period for which you retain the data.
Ensuring website security	Ensure your website’s security by protecting the website itself and the data stored on it from threats of external attacks.	GDPR website compliance checklist: Encrypt the sharing of information between the server and the site by installing an SSL certificate. Ensure admin accounts have strong passkeys. Verify that your server has added extra protection layers when you offer users to share their payment information. Protect your website from unauthorized access using anti-virus services and software. Collect, use, and store only necessary data; create backups in multiple spaces; remove it when you do not need it. Never share personal data with third-party services.
Regularly updating Privacy Policy	Keep your privacy policy transparent, concise, and accessible on each web page. Place it in a consent form or in the footer. Clearly mention the way you handle data.	Who takes the responsibility? The type of data do you collect Lawful reasoning data collection Data retention policy Measures for data protection security Sharing with and transferring to a third party User rights
Asking permission for marketing emails	Have a mailing list of the EU and UK citizens? Ask for their consent before sending our newsletters.	Clear opt-in only checkbox Double opt-in for extra consent confirmation (optional) Records of user consent A one-click unsubscribe option Process unsubscribe requests within 24 hours
Adding a cookie banner	Get users’ cookie consent if your website stores unnecessary cookies on their devices through a cookie banner: informing users about its cookies’ uses and the information they store. Also, give them the right to refuse them.	Clear and simple language Noticeable buttons to accept and reject Prevent cookies until the users opt in Offer withdrawal or change in consent Add link to policy Record user consent
Reviewing forms on the website	Collect data through inquiry, subscriptions, or a contact form safely.	Visible opt-in button A checkbox Privacy statement Link to Privacy Policy
Evaluating data processors/third-party services	Be responsible for handling personal data as a processor or controller.	Manage international transfers Sign a DPA (GDPR-compliant Data Processing Agreement) Record all external service providers Evaluate all providers before activating Review compliance frequently Ensure technical security measures
Assessing international data transfer	Ensure that users’ personal data is protected when you transfer it from the EU and the UK to other countries.	Acceptance of the destination country Use Binding Corporate Rules and Standard Contractual Clauses Assess risks associated with data transfer Use data protection measures
Giving users data rights	Provide users with the right to gather information related to their personal data, followed by requests to delete or correct it anytime.	Inform users about the data rights they can exercise Offer direct access to channels Track each request and response Process requests quickly Confirm identity before releasing information Define a practical process
Assessing and resolving data breaches	Prepare yourself in advance for data breaches.	Record processing activities Block user access until the issue is resolved Investigate the issue in depth Inform the relevant authority Inform the users Modify procedures and policies Develop an action plan

With the purpose of aligning with data privacy and security standards, many global companies partner with SCO2 vendors and ensure that they fulfill GDPR outsourcing or outsourcing security checklist requirements.

Conclusion 

Implementing the correct GDPR compliance strategies leads you towards user data protection and strong customer trust. By reviewing the GDPR requirements list and taking corrective measures, you can strengthen the users’ data protection and accountability. Once you understand how to be GDPR compliant, your business will become secure, transparent, and fulfill the expectations for global privacy.